24 Wednesday <strong>February</strong> <strong>13</strong> <strong>2019</strong> Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi SELWYN TIMES New engine for Ford Everest SUV Motoring Ross Kiddie I’VE HAD JUST two Ford Everest drives – one from the previous generation, and the new model for <strong>2019</strong>. Interestingly, both have involved long road trips while my wife and I have been holiday. The first was ticking off a route I’d long had on my bucket list – the Great Ocean Rd from Melbourne to Adelaide. The most recent was to travel to Queenstown to see January’s Gibbstson Valley Winery concert. Both drives served to prove how comfortable and capable the Everest is on a long journey. There was one significant difference between the two sport utility vehicles. The original Everest used the 3.2-litre fivecylinder turbo diesel, the new model for <strong>2019</strong> has a 2-litre fourcylinder turbo diesel engine. Ford is quick to point out the new engine is more powerful and has significantly more torque than the five-potter, and it is also claiming fuel economy improvements. I’m not disputing any of that, the 2-litre engine is a real gem, it is refined, smooth and uncharacteristically quiet for diesel and, for that matter, it is a beauty. Total power outputs are 157kW and 500Nm, against 143kW and 470Nm for the five. That’s a significant gain, and when you are powering a vehicle that weighs in at around 2500kg, any bit of extra oomph is useful. The Everest glides beautifully on the open road, it is whisper quiet, and even when the engine is put under pressure, it flows through the rev range unimpeded. A lot of the latter is due to the pairing of it to a new 10-speed gearbox, it is also a revelation. You could almost believe the transmission was continuously variable, unless you are looking at the gearshift position lights on the dash panel or moving 100% Capital gain to the resident through the gears sequentially, you’d have no idea what gear is selected, except to say it works through the transmission seamlessly, there’s never a point where the wrong gear is selected. I carried out many a highway overtake, and the engine was always in the sweet spot. In terms of acceleration, the big Everest moves with adequate pace, it will complete a highway overtake in around 5sec, and a 9sec time to make a standstill to 100km/h can be expected. These are good times for a bulky sevenseater. Therein lies the concept of Everest. Even though it is based on the Ranger’s four-wheel-drive system, ladder chassis and live rear axle, it has been softened considerably, and lends itself to comfortable motion. There’s no denying it is bulky, but it has space on the inside so that comfort levels aren’t compromised. Sure, it’s a bit of a juggle accessing the rear row of seats, but it is no worse than many other seven-seaters. If you have the rear seats folded the cargo area is voluminous. My wife doesn’t travel light, so even for just a couple FORD EVEREST: Capable highway cruiser. of days we had much luggage, yet it was swallowed easily. For the record, the rear row of seats move forward electrically, which is just one of the many things the Everest can claim as a luxury vehicle. It arrives in one specification only – Titanium. In that form it is loaded with goodies, and I guess when you have a big vehicle on a solid foundation, as a manufacturer you can throw everything into it. For <strong>2019</strong> Ford has lowered the price of Everest. It now sits at $79,990, and it also gets a lot LUXURY: The Everest arrives in high grade Titanium specification. $1,000 fully refundable deposit more safety kit. Over and above what we would generally expect for safety, the newcomer gets autonomous emergency braking, and vehicle and pedestrian detection. For comfort and convenience significant items include satellite navigation, radar cruise control, full leather trim with heated front seats, electric sunroof, active park assist, and keyless entry and ignition. Of course, the driver also has at command the controls for the four-wheel-drive system, there are several settings depending on the type of surface expected ahead, there is a genuinely low ratio transfer case combining to get the vehicle easily into the gnarly tracks our back country has to offer. I didn’t venture off the seal, but I can report that from previous experience in the Everest and Ranger, it is a genuine off-road vehicle, and one that I’ve felt comfortable off-the-seal in previous evaluations. With the type of suspension and chassis design, along with 225mm of ground clearance, the Everest is formidable off-road. The new engine also fits well in any slow speed situation, there’s a lesson to be learned these • Price – Ford Everest Titanium, $79,990 • Dimensions – Length, 4892mm; width, 1860mm; height, 1837mm • Configuration – Fourcylinder, four-wheel-drive, 1996cc, 157kW, 500Nm, 10-speed automatic • Performance – 0-100km/h, 9sec • Fuel usage – 7.1l/100km days and that is not to arrive in Queenstown on a Friday night at rush hour, the long slow drive into the town from the Clutha River bridge is painful, yet the engine and transmission was responsive and happy to dawdle the last 10km. Ford dealers have long sold Everest, and Ranger, knowing they have long had the engines with the highest capacity in their respective segments of the market: “Bigger is better,’’ has been a catchphrase. Now it’s time for a change of direction, and while the 2-litre unit is honest and up to the mark in every aspect, buyers may take some convincing that it’s going to work as well as the five-cylinder engine that has powered Ranger, New Zealand’s best-selling motor vehicle for the last four years. investMent in your retirMent and reap the reWards in rolleston E S T A T E Phone. 03 421 7796 | Email. sales@woodcroftestate.co.nz WOODCROFT WAY, 28 KENDON DRIVE, ROLLESTON, CANTERBURY rolleston’s neW registered retireMent village • Initial weekly fee of $75 includes rates & full insurance • Gated community and emergency call button in each villa • Two & three bedroom villas with single/double garage from $400,000 • There will be an on site manager and a pavilion and bowling green • Show Home now open Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm or weekend viewing by appointment call Corinne 021 292 1141 www.manorgroup.co.nz
SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Wednesday <strong>February</strong> <strong>13</strong> <strong>2019</strong> 25 ALL-NEW DISTRIBUTOR OWNED DEALERSHIP MOVING TO CURRENT BMW DEALERSHIP FROM FEB <strong>2019</strong>. 30 Manchester St, Christchurch MOVING SALE NOW ON!!! OVER 80 NEW & USED CARS, SUV’S, UTES AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AVAILABLE. SAVE THOUSANDS! FINANCE ON-SITE • TRADES WELCOME Christchurch SsangYong & LDV | Phone: 03 379 4999 374 Moorhouse Avenue, Christchurch
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